Woodcreek hopes to learn from its loss to Antelope

John Rayl/Roseville Press TribuneAn official signals touchdown as Woodcreek's Blake Robinson (24) celebrates one of his two scoring catches with teammate Seth York (6) on Friday night. The Timberwolves ended up losing to Antelope 39-36.

John Rayl/Roseville Press TribuneAntelope’s Jonathan Crippes (23) runs through a hole opened by Christian Pinedo (74) and others on his way to 149 yards and two touchdowns in 26 carries. The Titans defeated Woodcreek 39-36.

John Rayl/Roseville Press TribuneWoodcreek’s Dylan Stacy (3) clears traffic and returns the second-half kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown against Antelope. Among those blocking for Stacy are Kory Adams (7) and Antonio Herrera (44), blocking the Titans’ Sam Nnodim (21).

John Rayl/Roseville Press TribuneWoodcreek’s Blake Robinson (24) makes an over-the-shoulder catch for a touchdown despite tight hands-on defense by Antelope’s Tyler Winston (2). Robinson had two scoring catches, but the Timberwolves fell to the Titans 39-36.

John Rayl/Roseville Press TribuneWoodcreek quarterback Stephen Nogosek (10) had another big game by completing 19 of 29 passes for 265 yards and four touchdowns in the Timberwolves’ 39-36 loss to Antelope. He even filled in for the Timberwolves’ injured kicker and booted three extra points.

John Rayl/Roseville Press TribuneTommy Torres (22) of Woodcreek locks in on a pass in the end zone for a touchdown against Antelope.

Stephen Nogosek has learned a lot in his first full season as the varsity quarterback, but perhaps the best lesson so far came Friday night in the wake of a heartbreaking loss.

The Woodcreek High School senior learned about adversity, as his safety valve receiver, sophomore Adam Corbett, was lost for the game after an injury.

Nogosek learned the value of red-zone opportunities, as the Timberwolves came up empty twice in the second quarter.

A series of lapses led to Woodcreek’s 39-36 loss to visiting Antelope as it tried to enter the Sierra Foothill League portion of its season on a roll. Instead, the Timberwolves (2-2) have work ahead before they compete in the tough SFL.

“This loss helped us,” said Nogosek, who finished 19 for 29 for 265 yards and four touchdowns. “It’s going to get us more prepared for the Placer week.”

Woodcreek is idle next week and faces the Hillmen on Sept. 28.

The Timberwolves led 29-24 with 1:42 remaining in the third quarter, but the slim lead disappeared when the Titans answered with a 10-play, 59-yard scoring drive that was aided by a roughing-the-passer penalty.

Woodcreek failed to field a short ensuing kickoff, and Antelope recovered at the Woodcreek 39. The Titans scored two plays later to take a 39-29 lead with 8:15 left.

With the game on the line, Nogosek went to work and led a 66-yard scoring drive that was capped by a four-yard touchdown pass to Blake Robinson in the flat.

With Corbett out of the game, Nogosek also was forced to take on the kicking duty. He attempted an onside kick, but the ball rolled easily into the Titans’ possession.

The defense, though, stood firm, and Woodcreek had one more chance with 1:37 left. Nogosek led the Timberwolves to the 49 but then lofted a deep pass that was picked off by Damariee Braziel at the 20.

Woodcreek missed an opportunity in the second quarter when it turned over the ball on downs at the Antelope 5. Nogosek also missed a 23-yard field goal in the period.

“We need to prepare better than we did this last week, Monday through Thursday,” Woodcreek coach John Hildebrand said. “I feel like some of the things we failed to execute on this week was a direct reflection of some of the things that occurred in practice, which is unusual for us. So I’d like to get back on a solid path Monday through Thursday because that’s where most of the game gets won.”